Page 25 of Impossible

“You too, Riley. Thank you so much for doing this. I would have gotten over myself and come over, but this does help.”

“It’s no problem.” I say as I wave my hand at her. “Let’s get this little peanut out.” I bend down to grab Harper out of the stroller. “Come here, sweetness. It’s time to see Grandma!”

I hand Harper over to Shirley, who snuggles her into her arms. I see tears run down her cheeks, past her sunglasses and try to stand off to the side to give them time to themselves. My emotions get the better of me as I watch my best friends mom embrace Harper wishing Becca was here for this, not me.

“Hi, sweet angel. Look how big you have gotten.” Shirley kisses Harper on her head. “You look like you are enjoying your food,” Shirley says while giggling. “Look at these rolls.” She pinches Harper’s chunky little thighs.

I smile. “She does suck down her bottles. I know what you mean though. I can pinch those rolls all day long.”

“What is she doing these days? I imagine at three months, she is starting to interact more.” Shirley is rubbing Harpers hand and smiling down at her. Harper offers a big smile back, which seems to take Shirley by surprise.

“Well, she is a big smiler. Just like Becca.” I hope bringing up Becca wasn’t the wrong move but I don’t feel right not freely talking about her right now.

“Yes, Becca was full of life. That was your momma, sweet girl,” she says to Harper.

We end up walking around the park and eventually finding a picnic table to eat the salads that I brought. Harper is perfectly content in her stroller watching her toys hanging from the car seat while Shirley and I catch up.

“You know, we can keep doing this if you would like. I could come meet you. Or you could drive over to Liam’s house if you can take a longer lunch and hang out with us for a while. If you’re up for it.”

Shirley looks like she is contemplating it for a second, then I see a smile stretch across her face. “I think I would really like that.”

“Great! You just let me know the next time you would like to meet.”

I feel so happy that this went well. When we get to the parking lot, Shirley gives me a big hug as we promise to see each other soon.

Later, Harper is napping in my arms when Liam walks in. I get up and place her in the crib in the corner, somehow managing to back away as she stays sleeping.

“How was she today?” Liam asks as we meet at the island in the kitchen.

“Well, we met up with Shirley at the park.”

He looks surprised. “How did that go?” he asks.

“It went really good. She cried right away, but once Harper smiled at her, she was a goner. We planned to do it again soon.”

He smiles at that. “That’s awesome. I’m so happy you were able to do that for her.”

He reaches over for my hand and when we touch, the warmth is electric. I feel it course through my entire body. He rubs his thumb over my hand as he stares down at our connection. When he looks up, I lose my breath. He steps closer to me as he closes the distance between us, grabbing a piece of my hair between his fingers then tucking it behind my ear.

“What would I do without you?” he asks with such sincerity.

I gulp down the saliva building in my mouth. “It wasn’t a big deal. I wanted to help her out,” I whisper.

“It’s a huge deal. Everything you do for us, for Harper and me.” He shakes his head, looking at a loss for words. “What’s happening right now, Riley?”

When his hand reaches up to my cheek, I know I’m powerless to this man. Whatever is happening, it feels like it’s happening at the rate of a tsunami, taking me under. I close my eyes, willing myself not to make a move. Just then, Harper wakes up, her cry a bucket of cold water dumped on the moment. Instantly, Liam and I back away from each other, looking at each other in shock at what just transpired.

“I should get going, I have dinner plans with a friend,” I spit out while I grab my hair and pull it over my shoulder, a nervous gesture.

Liam clears his throat. “Yeah, sounds good. I’ll see you Thursday.”

I’mwalkingintotherestaurant where I’m meeting Tiffany and Faye for dinner. My eyes slowly scan the room, looking to see if I spot either of them. When I look towards the right corner of the room, I spot them both sitting at a high top table, waving me towards them. Both are looking tan and relaxed. I on the other hand am still trying to process what just happened with Liam earlier. Was he about to kiss me? If he was, in that moment, I know I would have let him.

“Hey lady!” Faye shouts over the crowd when I approach.

I grab a seat and do my best to put my worries and fears behind me for the evening. Right now, I just need to enjoy the time with my friends.

“Okay, that settles it. I am getting a jalapeno margarita,” Tiffany says as she hands me the drink menu. “Did you decide what you wanted?” she looks to Faye.

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